The Not So Fun Parts

Just so you don't think it's all been fun and games, not everything has been easy. The RV has some issues that we need to try and get fixed as soon as possible but since it's still under warranty we need to find an authorized dealer and be able to stay in the area long enough for them to order the parts and install them.  Not all the problems are serious, but some of them could be.  Here's our current list:

• We have concerns that the system isn't charging the engine batteries - it turns out that the way they design the RV is that the power goes to the coach first, then the engine. A couple of times Rusty has had a hard time getting the engine to turn over. We've added a couple of solar panels and that has helped, but it still seems odd that we get a "Low Voltage!" message when starting the engine considering that we've been connected to shore power at each campground.
• The driver's seat can't be adjusted. It was working fine, but all of a sudden it stopped. It's stuck in a position that allows both Rusty and I to drive, but it's frustrating when you want to change your position.
• The multivision camera system can't be adjusted (I think I mentioned this in an earlier post). The sound on the back-up camera is stuck on full volume so if you try and drive with it on you hear a scratching sound and everything else. I was able to get the system to switch so the back-up camera only shows up when the left turn signal on, but it is pretty annoying. 
• The antenna for the XM radio isn't working. We got a free 3 month trial which can't be extended so we're getting free XM radio that isn't working.
• The USB ports by Rusty's side of the bed are busted. They worked for a couple of days and then stopped. 

We've got documentation on all but the problem with the battery and the driver's seat so that means they don't have to be checked out by someone else before we can order the parts but if the driver's seat needs parts that could delay us.

Probably the hardest part is the mail. We left LA so quick and bought the RV just before we left so we've been juggling trying to get the mail that we actually need. We spent $35 to have our last bunch of mail forwarded to us overnight because we're not going to be in any place long enough after we leave Glenwood Springs for a few weeks. The mail service we're using (TravelingMailbox.com) works well, but it takes about 5-7 days to forward mail to you so you have to time it right or you end up like we did a week or so ago having to impose on someone to forward it to you again (thank you David & Michelle). Luckily all the RV parks are flexible about getting packages so if you bundle up your mail you can get it forwarded to the park. Most of our mail though we are able to scan so we don't have to forward it, but sometimes it's something you physically need. The plates for the new RV came from the dealer and not the DMV so that really threw us off. We had forwarded that package to our Sunday son and daughter, Eddie and Christine and they had to coordinate getting that package to us the day after they got married (we owe them big time for that imposition). I figure things will eventually settle down and we'll get the mail issue sorted out, but for now it's a bit challenging.

Prescriptions was something else we had to figure out. Veronica at Caremark online support was really helpful and between the two of us we were able to get our three months of prescriptions delivered to a nearby CVS. It's a manual process when you want to get the prescription filled but at least that worked out without too much trouble. Of course, I was supposed to have figured this all out before I stopped work but I didn't do it until last week.

Then there's my pension. I panicked on the 1st because I forgot that although you go to the same website to view your check stub, it's under a different tab. Once I logged on to the bank and saw the deposit was pending I relaxed and looked up my documentation from UCLA retirement and found the correct location. Since we're both spending money, I have to make sure to transfer money to Rusty each month so he can pay his bills. We seem to be doing pretty good according to our budget but we're still trying to get ourselves established and comfortable in the RV. I can't tell you how many times I realized we threw something away we could have used. Oh, well. Live and learn.

The food situation is probably the easiest. That's from all the years of camping, traveling and the timeshare we had on the houseboat. I've been able to time things so that we don't have to make a trip to the grocery store when we're only in a place for a day or two. The other thing we do is stop at corners where they are selling local produce and then freezing extra. We're loaded up on Olathe Sweet sweet corn and Palisade peaches right now.

For those of you wondering how Rusty and I are getting along, the funniest thing is we seemed to have switched places. I used to be the worrier and Rusty was the calm and relaxed one. Now Rusty worries and I just go with the flow. Since Rusty's been retired for over a year and a half I don't think it's related to that. Of course he has said the pressure of driving around your quarter of a million dollar home and all your belongings is stressful - I didn't ask him if that only applied when I drive it. Instead, we do yoga and try and get as much exercise in as possible. It could be helpful that I enjoy happy hour way more often than he does - and I have no problem when happy hour starts early in the day (as long as it's not a travel day). In fact, it's 4:32pm here now and Rusty and I are headed to Doc Holliday's in Glenwood Springs for green chile and cocktails!

xoxox

Julie